A football match between Ashgold FC and New Edubiase United at the Len Clay stadium in Obuasi was called off due to ‘insecurity’, amidst allegations of rowdy behaviour by Carl Wilson, one-time strongman of the Confiscated Vehicles Allocation Committee and a serving National Security operative.
The man, who was wearing a bullet-proof jacket and carrying a loaded pistol and knife on his body annoyed supporters of Ashgold when he wielded the gun.
He was sent out of the stadium and into his car by policemen in an attempt to calm down the angry supporters, who were chanting war songs and beating drums wildly.
Chief Supt. Emmanuel Amissah, Obuasi Divisional Police Commander, confirmed the incident to Daily Guide and added that the pistol and the jack knife were taken from Carl Wilson after he admitted to having weapons in his possession.
The conduct of the National Security operative on Wednesday, who claimed to be an official of the New Edubiase United football club, seemingly eroded the confidence of the Ashgold supporters. They accused the security agents of ‘over protecting’ the visiting team, the paper gathered.
The police commander also said there were a few scuffles “here and there.”
According to Chief Supt. Amissah, judging from what was going on and the lack of police reinforcement, the safety of fans at the stadium could have been compromised. The match officials were thus quickly advised to call off the game.
“The Edubiase team was escorted safely to its base at Bekwai,” he disclosed, adding that the personnel of the Police Service were strategically withdrawn later.
Mr. Amissah indicated that prior to the match, the police received intelligence reports that some Ashgold supporters were bent on retaliating an alleged attack on them by fans of New Edubiase United, when they played as visitors at Bekwai on December 5, 2010.
He stated that following a request by the visiting team to provide adequate security, the Obuasi Municipal Security Committee convened an emergency meeting on the eve of the match to discuss the report and how best to resolve the impasse between both teams.
According to the Divisional Commander, a meeting involving officials of both teams was held, during which New Edubiase agreed to pay a compensation fee of GH¢4,000 to the victims of the Bekwai incident, as proposed by Ashgold FC officials.
He pointed out that the officials of Edubiase United took responsibility of what had happened even though they indicated that the attack, which led to injuries and damage of vehicles, took place outside the stadium.
He disclosed that both teams were asked to prevail upon their
supporters to exercise restraint for a successful tournament. Chief Supt Amissah said the Obuasi Divisional Police provided 50 personnel as requested by the management of the stadium, adding that they were supported by 46 Mobile Force/RDF from Kumasi.
The Mobile Force escorted the Edubiase team from Anwiankwanta to Len Clay Stadium, where they were later deployed to take charge of the eight gates. Personnel from the Obuasi division also guarded inside and outside the stadium.
He said all these arrangements could not prevent a disaster from occurring at the stadium so the match was called off.
Source: Daily Guide
